Students will launch the inquiry by analyzing Pollock images alongside Cold War media, produce a rapid abstract response, compare how nonrepresentational choices communicate conflict or freedom, and leave with a focused question for the next phase.

Students will refine a focused investigable question and hypothesis about how Abstract Expressionist choices communicate Cold War tension or freedom, then draft and peer-review a methodology plan for their own abstract painting and artist statement.

Students will present their Cold War abstract paintings and artist statements in a brief gallery showcase, use peer feedback to test how clearly their work communicates conflict or freedom without recognizable objects, and complete a final performance-based presentation that connects artistic choices to Cold War context.